Reliance Jio has urged the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) not to allow satellite spectrum allocated administratively for commercial services like fixed wireless access (FWA), as it considers FWA a 5G use case that should only use auctioned spectrum. The company suggested that if DoT permits FWA for satellite communication (satcom) players, the companies that bought spectrum in an auction for FWA should be refunded. The DoT is currently working on rules for administratively allocating spectrum for satellite communication services, including global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) holders.
Department Of Telecommunications: The move by DoT comes in the wake of technology innovations in the field of satcom. Last month, Elon Musk-owned Starlink had announced sending six satellites with direct to cell capability into space. It would allow for mobile phone connectivity anywhere on earth.
"Terms and conditions in the licence will make it clear that spectrum taken administratively can t be used to serve retail mobile consumers," an official said. The DoT is expected to shortly write to Trai to provide the details on what terms and conditions should be incorporated in the licence.